Blackball (surfing)
 | The examples and perspective in this article may not include all significant viewpoints. (January 2014) |
Blackball flag | |
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Blackball is a term used to describe a flag on a lifeguard tower or other highly visible area to show surfers that they must clear the water. A blackball flag is represented with a black circle in the center of a yellow or red flag, with the yellow flag being most common. Blackball is a contentious idea to some, being that it gives space to swimmers at the expense of surfers, but is designed to protect swimmers from potentially harmful boards that may be coming at high velocities after a "wipe out" from a wave.
Swimmers maintain this is a safety measure, while surfers contend that Blackball is an attempt to cull the in-water population in certain zones by creating dual classes of citizens (with surfers always being the ones demanded to leave), thus giving preferential treatment to swimmers.
Newport Beach, California has regular headlines regarding the use of blackball [1][2] and dedicates a section of their official government site to the issue.[3] US House Rep. Dana Rohrabacher[4] and Southern California politician Michael B. Glenn[5] have both made campaign issues out of the Blackball implementation. Rohrabacher made note that Newport Beach was the only city who practiced Blackball and also did not have a dedicated area for surf use.
References
- ^ "Surfers, bodysurfers battle over Newport Beach's iconic Wedge - Los Angeles Times". Retrieved 11 Jan 2014.
- ^ "Newport Beach debates 'blackball' surf rules - The Orange County Register". Retrieved 11 Jan 2014.
- ^ "City of Newport Beach : Blackball". Retrieved 11 Jan 2014.
- ^ "Endless Bummer : Ban's Retention Raises Wave of Criticism - Los Angeles Times". Retrieved 11 Jan 2014.
- ^ "Commentary: Give Newport surfers a place of their own - Daily Pilot". Retrieved 11 Jan 2014.
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